nelson mandela was elected president in a landslide. >> so help me god. >> reporter: a few months later at his inauguration, attended by scores of world leaders, he declared a new era for his beloved country. >> never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again have the oppression of one by another. >> reporter: mandela served only one five-year term, handing the reins to his vice president. the years had taken their toll. mandela and his wife winnie divorced in 1996 after a four-year separation. after leaving office, mandela took on the role of elder world statesman, fighting injustice not only in south africa but also in the rest of the world. he married his third wife and long-time companion grassa michelle on his 80th birthday and content at last made an effort to retreat from public life. >> don't call me. i'll call you. >> reporter: his public appearances became increasingly rare, each one of them a reason to celebrate. he was all smiles when his great grandchildren sang to him on his 92nd birthday. ♪ happy birthday to you when he closed his eyes for the last time, nel